Construction joint



INVENTOIR. 3 0522 V6? @2461" 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. E. CARTER CONSTRUCTION JOINT.

Driginal Filed March 25, 1935 ATTORNEY.

.J. E. CARTER CONSTRUCTIGN JOINT Original Filed March 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 25, 1940 PATENT OFFECE CONSTRUCTION JOINT John E. Carter, Gencseo, Ill.

Refiled for abandoned application Serial No. 12,876, March 25, 1935.

This application September 22, 1937, Serial No. 165,208.

1 Claim.

The invention relates particularly, although not exclusively, to means forjoining the inner vertical edges of adjacent concrete slabs, and joining the outer surfaces of building, foundations and the like with slabs or ribbons, and

filling the spaces between said slabs, of concrete highways, streets and the like, and filling the spaces between buildings, foundations, and the like, and slabs or ribbons.

The present application is a substitute for the abandoned application filed by me on March 25, 1935, Serial No. 12,876.

The co-efficient ofexpansion of concrete slabs of highways, streets, sidewalks, and the like always is relatively great and this expansion and contraction of the slabs will result in damage to the concrete, unless efficient and practical means 'are provided at the joints of the slabs so that the concrete may naturally expand and contract without exerting strain or pressure on the edgesof adjacent slabs. W'henthe spaces between the concrete slabs are filled with any non resilient substance the concrete slabs are likelyto buckle and crack when the temperature becomes sufiiciently high to cause the concrete slabs to expand. This explanation, also, applies to the slabs of concrete, or other contractible material, used as sidewalks which abut or join a building or the foundation of a building.

The advantages of filling these spaces with rubber, as explained in my co-pending applications for patents, or other resilient material, is that as the contractible material expands and remains in close contact with the edges of surfaces of the contractible material thereby exeluding water, and other foreign substances, from the spaces.

Frequently the space between the adjacent slabs contain plastic fillers or non-resilient materials such as asphalt. After'a relatively short period of time has elapsed, dirt, water, and other foreign substances, such as dirt and gravel, as a result of natural elements and movement of Vehicles over the highway, enter the spaces betweenthe filler and the vertical edges of the slabs especially after the filler has been compressed thin by expansion of the slabs, and later die slabs contract when the temperature is lowered. When the spaces between are filled with sand, dirt, and the like, such materials cannot be compressed, when the concrete slabs expand, whereby expansion of the slabs causes the slabs to buckle, crack, and otherwise damaged.

' Moreover, when said spaces between the slabs,

or between buildings and sidewalks, and the like, are filled with expandible or resilient material, such as rubber, the upper edge of the filler protrudes above the upper surface of the highway, sidewalk, or other ribbon, when the ad- 5 jacent contractible material expands, thereby seriously affecting the comfort of occupants of automobiles, or other vehicles which pass over the highway or ribbon, because when the wheels of a vehicle pass over the protrusions consider able vibrations. are imparted to the vehicle. Also the continuous pounding of the vehicle wheels on the concrete, immediately after the wheels, particularly wheelshavingsolid tires and of heavy capacity trucks, pass over the protrusions, is damaging to the highway. After a relatively long period of time the pro trusions are worn away, and when the adjacent slabs contract, the filler naturally expands through its thickness, and becomes less in height, and its upper edge is positioned below the horizontal upper surface of the highway, whereby water and other foreign substances, are likely to collect in the depressions, thus formed in the upper surface of the highway. 25

Therefore, an important object of the invention is to provide simple, ehicienhand practical, and economical means adapted to receive and contain portions of a resilient filler, during the movement of the edges of expanding slabs, or other contractible material between which said filler is positioned, whereby the width or height of said filler remains substantially the same so that the upper edge of said filler remains substantially in a predetermined position, and with respect to the upper edges of said contractible material, while said slabs expand and contract. Another object of the invention is to provide an efficient and durable filler in the space between, or joint of, the vertical edges of slabs, contractible material which will exclude water and other foreign substances from said spaces.

Other objects of'the invention are to provide means whereby said filler may move to compensate for normal movements of the adjacent 45 contractible material, in order to relieve said material, from strain, and yet said filler is retained in substantially a predetermined position, or that said filler'is prevented from moving vertically or horizontally excepting such movements as may result or be caused by movements of said adjacent contractible material; and to provide means whereby said filler may be conveniently and quickly positioned between a predetermined 55 Fig. l is a plan view of a ribbon, or roadway,

partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on a line.v

corresponding to 22 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled guide or joint;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the block, partly broken away;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one horizontal sleeve;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a dowel bar;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line in Fig. with parts broken away;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing amodified form of the invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the invention, with parts broken away; Fig. 10 is apersptactive view showing a modified form of the invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a sidewalk and a building, showing the invention incorporated there- Fig. 12 is a section taken on line |2--|2 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspectiveview of the bolt, and

,Fig. 14 is a perspective view'of a cap or dowel bar housing.

' The preferred construction of the invention is exemplified in cooperation with the highway, street, sidewalk or ribbon I formed from a plurality of horizontal slabs 2 having their upper surfaces 3 in horizontal alignment and having their adjacent inner vertical edges 4 and 5 spaced apart, thereby forming the spaces or cuts 6 therebetween which extend transversely of the ribbon and in parallel relation with each other.

The inner surfaces 1 of the vertical metal forms or plates 8 and 9 are embedded in the inner sure faces IB and It of the vertical edges l2 and I3 of the adjacent slabs 2. The upper edges I4 and I4 of the plates are spaced from the uppe surfaces 3 of the slabs.

The inflexible metal plates 8 and 9 are corrugated and have formed in their outer surfaces I5 and IS the curved grooves IT and I8 which are in horizontal position. Between the respective grooves I! and I8 are the curved ridges l9 and 29 which project outwardly from the vertical edges I2 and I3 of the slabs 2. The ridges i9 are in parallel relation and horizontally aligned with the grooves I8, and the ridges 28 are in parallel relation and horizontally aligned with the grooves I|.

Received between the plates 8 and 9 is the filler 2! formed from rubber, or other suitable resilient material. The filler 2| comprises the vertical strip 22 which has greater height than thickness. The plates 8 and 9 and the filler 2| may extend from side edge 23 to side edge 24, or the ribbon ,I but preferably the filler 2 I, as well as the plates 8 and 9 extend from the side edges 23 and 24 to a center point 25,of the ribbon 8 and 9, and their lower ends are embedded into the road-bed 21 onto which the slabs 2 rest.

Formed in the inflexible metal plates 8 and 9, respectively, are the spaced apart holes 28 and 29 in horizontal alignment with each other and in horizontal alignment with the perforations 3|] of the filler 2|. Received through the holes 28 and 29, and the perforations 3|], are the metal rods or bars 3|. Received over the ends 32-and 33, of the bars 3|, are the rubber caps 34 and 35 which are received through the holes 28 and 29, in the plates 8 and 9, and their inner ends contact the vertical or straight sides 36 and 31 of the filler 2|. The spaces 38 and 39 are between the outer ends 48 and 4| of the caps 34 and 35, whereby the bars 3| are adapted to move slightly in order to relieve the strain of the slabs 2, when said slabs contract and expand, or otherwise move, as the caps 34 and 35 are received in the orifices 42 and 43 in the edges I2 and I3 of the slabs 2.

The method of constructing the ribbon I may be, as follows: The dirt or road-bed 21 is properly graded and rolled, and the desired position of the plates 8 and 9, filler 2 I, bars 3|, and caps 34 and 35, which have previously been assembled, as shown in Fig. 3, is determined, and so positioned. Then the stakes or pins 25 and 26' are driven, in spaced apart relation, into the road-bed 27 and in contact with the outer surfaces I5 and I6 of the plates 8 and 9.

Afterward the wet and properly mixed concrete is poured onto the road-bed 2'1 thereby forming the slabs 2 between which and in the cut 6 is embedded thefiller 2|. The upper surfaces of the slabs 2 are substantially in align.- ment with the top edge 44 of the fillers 2|. The upper sides of the fillers 2|, and the plates 8 and 9 retain the concrete from flowing past these parts, and the concrete is prevented by the suitable forms from flowing past the outer side edges 23 and 24 of the ribbon I.

When the slabs 2 contract, as a result of their temperature decreasing, the edges l2 and |3 thereof retreat from each other, and the resilient filler 2'! expands and remains in close and sealingcontact with the edges I2 and I3 of the slabs, I

and also in close sealing contact with the upper exposed portions 45 and 46, of the edges I2 and I3 of the slabs 2, said portions 45 and 46 being above the upper edges of the plates 8 and 9.

When the slabs expand as a result of variations of the temperature of the ribbon I, the edges I2 and I3 of the slabs advance toward each other, a'ndsqueeze or compress the filler 2| into the grooves I1 and I8, as bypressure of the ridges I9 and 2|], whereby, irrespective of the pressure of the slabs 2, the top surface of the highway or ribbon I remains relatively smooth at all temperatures, since the sides of the fillers 2| are received in the grooves I1 and I8 of the respective plates 8 and 9 and prevents any substantial increase of the height of the filler 2|, thereby maintaining the upper edges of the fillers substantially in horizontal alignment with the upper surfaces of the slabs 2. The upper edges l2 and I3, of the slabs 2, grip the portion of the filler 2| positioned above the upper edges of the plates 8 and 9, particularly whenthe slabs 2 expand, whereby the portion of the filler 2|, positioned above the upper edges of the slabs 8 and 9, remain stationary or in a fixed positionwith respect to the upper surfaces 3 of the slabs 2. I

'- The-purpose of the forms or plates 8 and 9 is bars.

to provide the grooves IT and. lflu and the ridges l9 and 2B, for the above mentioned purposes. If at anytime the plates 8 and 9- deteriorate'the edges l2 and I3 of the slabs 2 have grooves formed therein. Moreover, the caps 34 and 35 may deteriorate and yet the bars 3i have limited movement in the orifices 42 and 43, in the edges l2 and 23, of the slabs 2, of the ribbon I.

In Fig. 8 isshownavmodification of the in vention. The vertical inflexible metal plates ii and 48 are similar to the plates 8 and 9, except that thecurved grooves 49 and B, and the curved ridges 5| and 52, in the outer surfaces 53 and 54, of the plates 41 and 48, are opposite to each other and in horizontal alignment, and instead of the ridges forcing the rubber filler t5 into the grooves,- the ridges compress the filler and portions of the sides thereof are received in the grooves to prevent the height of the filler being substantially increased when the adjacent slabs expand, whereby the upper edge 58 of the filler remains in substantially the same position and in horizontal alignment with the top surfaces of the slabs at all times.

The bars (not shown) are received through holes in the plates 41 and 48 and the filler '55. The rubber caps 51 and 58 cover the ends of the The spaces similar tothe spaces 33 and 39 are between the ends of the caps and the ends-of the bars. Concrete contacts and surrounds the caps 5! and 58, and contacts the plates ll and 48 similar to the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, with respect to the plates 8 and 9, and the caps 3d and 35.

The stakes 59 and 6B retain the plates, bars, filler and caps in a predetermined position during pouring of the concrete to form the slabs.

In Fig. 9 is shown another modification of the invention which comprises the vertical inflexible metal plates 6| and 62 embedded in the edges l2 and of the concrete slabs 2. The rubber filler 63 is positioned between the plates, and the bars iii are received through the holes 6 3 in the plates and through holes (not shown) in the filler. The rubber caps 65 and [56 are around the ends of the bars and have their inner ends received through the holes in the plates and in contact with the sides 61 of the filler. The caps are received in orifices adjacent in the slabs and the stakes 68 and 69, driven into the road-bed l0, retain the plates GI and 62, filler 63, bars 3i and caps 65 and 66 in a predetermined position while the wet concrete is being poured.

The plates BI and 82 have formed in their outer sides H and 12 the V-shaped grooves l3 and 13' and the V-shaped ridges M and T5. The ridges M are in parallel relation and horizontally aligned with the grooves 73, and the ridges 15 are in parallel relation and in horigontal alignment with the grooves 13, whereby when the slabs expand the ridges M and 15 force portions of the filler into the grooves 73 and I3 and prevent any substantial increase in the height of the filler.

In Fig. is shown still another modification of the invention comprising the spaced apart vertical inflexible metal plates Iii and 71 having the oppositely disposed V-shaped grooves '18 and i9 and the oppositely disposed ridges 80 and 8! in their outer surfaces 82 and 83. Between the plates is the rubber filler 34. When the concrete slabs 2, in whose edges'li and it the plates are embedded, expand the ridges 30 and 8| compress the filler 84 and force portions of it into the grooves,1whereby the height of the filler 84 remains substantially: the same.

The bars M are received through holes 35 in the plates and I! and also in aligned holes in the filler 8t. and have the rubber caps 85 011 their outer ends. The caps are received through the holes 85 in the plates. The stakes ill and 88 retain the plates, filler, bars and caps in a predetermined position while the wet concrete is being poured adjacent the plates to form the slabs.

In Figs. 11 and 12 is shown still another modifled 'form of the invention comprising the joint which is exemplified in cooperation with a building 98, having a wall or foundation 9!, and a sidewalk Q2 with the space 93 therebetween.

In-the space 93 is the'rubber filler 55 having i e side contacting the well ill of the building Sill. The other side 96, of the filler ii bis contacted by the side 9? of the vertical inflexible metal plate 98 having the V-shaped grooves 99 and the V-shaped ridges lilfl formed in its side 91. The plate 93 and the filler Si t have the holes ill! and the perforations 52 therein through which are received the bolts tilt having the head tilt embedded in the side of the filler 9 1. Around the ends m5, of the bolts Hi3, are the caps lilii which extend through the holes llil in'the plate 98 and with their inner ends in contact with the side 95 of the filler t ll.- The stakes I01 are driven into theground" Edit and retain the plate 98, filler 96, caps m6 and bolts I03 in a predetermined position, while the wet concrete is being poured.

The upper edge Hit of the plate 98 is below the top edge N0 of the filled 96.

When the wall 9i and the sidewalk 92 expand,

portions of the side 96, of the filler 9d, are forced into the grooves 99, whereby the top edge llll of the filler 94 remains in substantially a predetermined position and it does not gain any substantial height.

An advantage of the invention is that the plates are stationary with the slabs, and embedded therein whereby, when the inner edges of the slabs move horizontally inwardly and outwardly as a result of expansion and contraction of the slabs, the plates move with the slabs. Moreover, the connections of the bars with the slabs, plates and filler permits slight movement of the slabs without any likelihood of damage to the slabs, irrespective of ordinary movement of the slabs.

Another advantage of the invention is that irrespective of the inward movement of the inner edges of the slabs, caused by expansion of the slabs, the grooves in the plates receive and contain a portion of the adjacent filler, whereby the upper edge of the filler remains substantially in a predetermined position.

Still another advantage of the invention is that the upper edge of the filler is formed from resilient material, such as rubber, and always is under cbm'pression whereby dust, gravel and other foreign substances are kept from entering the cuts in the ribbon, because the resilient filler is adapted to remain in contact with the upper surfaces of the vertical edges of the slabs.

By using a resilient strip with straight and fiat side faces said strip will only engage the ridges of the corrugated strips at the peaks or crests of the ridges, thus leaving the full areas of the grooves for receiving portions of the rubber strip when the concrete slabs expand and by having the corrugated sheets terminate in spaced relation to the upper surfaces of the slabs, portions of the vertical faces of the slabs will engage the resilient strip adjacent the upper edge thereof and thus this upper edge of the strip will be clamped between the upper portions of the vertical faces of the slabs which will prevent the resilient strip from being forced above the slabs and there is less danger of the upper portion of the resilient strip having sliding movement on the upper portions of the vertical faces of the slabs as there would beif this part of the resilient strip engaged metal portions of the corrugated strips. Also by staggering the crests of the corrugations the resilient strip is shortened to a greater extent by movement of the slabs toward each other than Where the crests of the corrugations are opposite each other for in the former case portions of the strip are forced into the grooves of the corrugations by the crests Whereas in the latter case portions of the resilient strip would be pinched between the oppositely arranged crests and not as much of the strip would be forced into the grooves as in the first case.

The preferred construction of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, and referred to in the above description, and is believed to be ef-' ficient and practicable for the intended purposes, yet realizing that changes may be resorted to, and required under varying conditions, I desire to state that it is intended that various changes may be made in the general form and arrange-' ment of the various parts and materialsfrom which such parts may be formed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of adjacent concrete mem-v bers having their opposed vertical faces spaced apart, a corrugated strip embedded in each of said faces with the upper edges of the strip spaced below the top of the members, the corrugations forming grooves and ridgeshorizontally arranged and each strip being corrugated from its top to its bottom, a rubber strip located in the space between said members with its upper edge flush with the top of said members and its lower edge flush with the bottom faces of said concrete members, said rubber strip having fiat side faces and normally of a thickness to have its said side faces just contact the crests of the ridges formed by the corrugated sheets and with the upper portions of said side faces contacting those portions of the vertical faces of the con.- crete members which are above the corrugated strips, means for anchoring an intermediate portion of the rubber strip to the concrete members and the crests of the ridges of one corrugated strip being opposite the grooves of the other corrugated strip. 7

JQHN E. CARTER. 

